Creative ways to hack your IKEA purchases

Updated 9:34 am, Wednesday, June 25, 2014

See how to turn your everyday IKEA purchases into custom minibars, cat playgrounds, one-of-a-kind bedroom furniture and more ...

See how to turn your everyday IKEA purchases into custom minibars, cat playgrounds, one-of-a-kind bedroom furniture and more ...

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Cat PlaygroundOne lucky Texas cat got the playground of its life when his owner constructed a special cat climbing system attached to the ceiling, using shelves and attachments from Ikea.

Cat Playground
One lucky Texas cat got the playground of its life when his owner constructed a special cat climbing system attached to the ceiling, using shelves and attachments from Ikea.

Photo: IKEAhackers.net

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Cat PlaygroundOne lucky Texas cat got the playground of its life when his owner constructed a special cat climbing system attached to the ceiling, using shelves and attachments from Ikea.

Cat Playground
One lucky Texas cat got the playground of its life when his owner constructed a special cat climbing system attached to the ceiling, using shelves and attachments from Ikea.

Photo: IKEAhackers.net

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Cat PlaygroundOne lucky Texas cat got the playground of its life when his owner constructed a special cat climbing system attached to the ceiling, using shelves and attachments from Ikea.

Cat Playground
One lucky Texas cat got the playground of its life when his owner constructed a special cat climbing system attached to the ceiling, using shelves and attachments from Ikea.

Photo: IKEAhackers.net

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Gerbil HouseThis shelf was turned into a fantastic rodent home.

Gerbil HouseThis shelf was turned into a fantastic rodent home.

Photo: IKEAhackers.net

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Mini BarThis mini bar was made by combining a shelf and a desk. It was voted Ikea hack of the year last year.

Mini Bar
This mini bar was made by combining a shelf and a desk. It was voted Ikea hack of the year last year.

Photo: IKEAhackers.net

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Mini BarThis Ikea hacker turned two kitchen units into a mini bar.

Mini Bar
This Ikea hacker turned two kitchen units into a mini bar.

Photo: IKEAhackers.net

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Cocktail BarThe lower unit was flipped upside down and attached to reveal a classy cocktail unit.

Cocktail Bar
The lower unit was flipped upside down and attached to reveal a classy cocktail unit.

Photo: IKEAhackers.net

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Bedside LampBedside lamps? Not here - stick them upside down and get light from above.

Bedside Lamp
Bedside lamps? Not here - stick them upside down and get light from above.

Photo: IKEAhackers.net

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Custom BenchesSpray these benches gold for a classy touch.

Custom Benches
Spray these benches gold for a classy touch.

Photo: IKEAhackers.net

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Custom LightshadeTake one bowl, one light bulb and a cable.

Custom Lightshade
Take one bowl, one light bulb and a cable.

Photo: IKEAhackers.net

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Custom LightshadeIn a few easy steps..

Custom LightshadeIn a few easy steps..

Photo: IKEAhackers.net

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Custom LightshadeYou have a trendy wooden lightshade.

Custom Lightshade
You have a trendy wooden lightshade.

Photo: IKEAhackers.net

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Side TableStick four paper organizers together on top of a stool, get yourself a stylish, rustic side table.

Side Table
Stick four paper organizers together on top of a stool, get yourself a stylish, rustic side table.

Photo: IKEAhackers.net

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Bedside OrganizerTiny greenhouse? No! Bedside organizer!

Bedside Organizer
Tiny greenhouse? No! Bedside organizer!

Photo: IKEAhackers.net

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Custom Wall UnitGo big and create your own custom wall unit.

Custom Wall Unit
Go big and create your own custom wall unit.

Photo: IKEAhackers.net

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Shelf UnitThis shelf unit is really many side tables stacked on top of each other.

Shelf Unit
This shelf unit is really many side tables stacked on top of each other.

Photo: IKEAhackers.net

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Dresser Makeover

Boring dresser? Simply paper it with classy vintage print.

Dresser Makeover

Boring dresser? Simply paper it with classy vintage print.

Photo: IKEAhackers.net

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Clutch BagTable mat? This one is now a fashion forward clutch bag.

Clutch Bag
Table mat? This one is now a fashion forward clutch bag.

Photo: IKEAhackers.net

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Dog HouseIs your dog bored with his regular old dog bed?

Dog House
Is your dog bored with his regular old dog bed?

Photo: IKEAhackers.net

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Dog HouseCover a table...

Dog House
Cover a table...

Photo: IKEAhackers.net

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Dog HouseAnd create a whole new dog house.

Dog House
And create a whole new dog house.

Photo: IKEAhackers.net

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CabinetRemove the ordinary doors to this unit and shabby chic it with recycled and brightly colored facades.

Cabinet
Remove the ordinary doors to this unit and shabby chic it with recycled and brightly colored facades.

Photo: IKEAhackers.net

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Easy Time-Lapse CameraAttach a go-pro camera to this kitchen timers and you get yourself a perfect moving timelapse video.

Easy Time-Lapse Camera
Attach a go-pro camera to this kitchen timers and you get yourself a perfect moving timelapse video.

Photo: IKEAhackers.net

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Curtain Tie-BackTwo magnets and a ribbon? Now this handy curtain tie back.

Curtain Tie-Back
Two magnets and a ribbon? Now this handy curtain tie back.

Photo: IKEAhackers.net

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Creative ways to hack your IKEA purchases

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The globally renowned website that brought us news of an epic IKEA cat playground built by a Texas pet owner for his cat has survived an attempt by the furniture giant to shut it down.

Ikeahackers.net was ordered to hand over its domain name in a cease and disist letter sent earlier this year but after extensive negotiations Ikea has agreed to open the door to finding a solution.

The founder, who goes by the name of Jules Yap and is based in Malaysia, had already persuaded the Swedish company to allow her to keep her domain name as long as she removed all advertising on the site but Yap still feared the loss of revenue would mean an end to her 8 year project.

Now, after a global outcry, Ikea has backed down and says it is willing to find a more amicable resolution.

Ikea told Yahoo news in a statement, "It has of course never been our ambition to stop their webpage. On the contrary, we very much appreciate the interest in our products and the fact that there are people around the world that love our products as much as we do.

"We are now evaluating the situation, with the intention to try to find a solution that is good for all involved."

It means we will still be able to search the site for new ideas on how to transform ordinary Ikea flat pack into new and creative structures.

The cat playground posted by a user identified only as Jason from Texas was just one highlighted by gadget site Gizmondo. Joining it was a gerbil house made out of the Expedit shelf unit and the winner of the 2013 best Ikea hack; a mini bar made from combining the same Expedit shelf with a desk.